Summertime means lots of lazy days hanging outside, barbecues with friends, and walks in the woods. However, with the good comes the bad, and mosquitoes can really put a damper on your summertime fun. Not only are mosquitoes annoying and apt to leave you with itchy, red welts, but they can also carry and transmit some pretty unpleasant diseases. Read on to learn about five of them:

West Nile Virus

Mosquitoes contract West Nile virus when they feed on infected birds. The now infected mosquito can then transfer the disease to humans. Most people do not develop any symptoms from West Nile virus, but some will develop a fever, headaches, body aches, or vomiting. In rare cases, serious symptoms including encephalitis and meningitis can occur. The first cases of West Nile virus in the United States for the year of 2018 have already been reported.

Keystone Virus

Keystone Virus is not something you may have heard of before. However, it is worth mentioning here because the first confirmed case of Keystone virus in a human was recently diagnosed in Florida. Until now, Keystone virus was only found in animals. Symptoms include a rash and mild fever, and encephalitis is possible as well.

Zika

Zika is spread to humans from an infected mosquito. Symptoms are typically mild and include fever, rash, headache, muscle pain, and joint pain. The symptoms of Zika very rarely become severe enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. However, a pregnant woman that contracts Zika can pass It on to her fetus which can, in turn, cause birth defects including microcephaly. Therefore, it is very important for pregnant women to stay away fromareas where Zika is prevalent.

Malaria

About 1,700 cases of Malaria are found in the United States every year. However, those cases are usually found in people returning from trips into South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa where Malaria is very prevalent. Symptoms usually appear ten to fifteen days after being bitten and include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. More severe symptoms include seizures, coma, and yellow skin.